Best Islands in the Philippines: 10 Islands You Should Visit

If you’re visiting the Philippines for the first time, getting into the country is usually the easy part. Most international travellers arrive in Manila, but the bigger question is what happens next. With thousands of islands spread across a huge area, figuring out where to go in the Philippines can get overwhelming pretty quickly.

I first came to the Philippines in 2007 when I moved to Manila for five months on a student exchange. I travelled around the country during that time and have been back three more times since. Over the years, I’ve visited enough places that locals have joked I’ve seen more of the Philippines than they have. If you’re still figuring out the basics, I’ve also put together a complete Philippines travel guide covering costs, getting around, when to visit and what I’d want to know before going.

The hard part is narrowing it down. Some islands are better for beaches, some for diving, some for nightlife, and some are just easier to fit into a trip than others. I’ll break down the places I think are most worth considering, who they’re best for, how much time they need, and which ones I’d choose depending on the kind of trip you want.

Which Island in the Philippines Should You Visit?

If you just want the quick answer, these are the islands I’d choose depending on the kind of trip you’re planning.

1. Palawan: Best for Spectacular Scenery and Island Hopping

If the Philippines you have pictured in your head involves turquoise lagoons, towering limestone cliffs and tiny beaches surrounded by jungle, Palawan is probably the closest you’ll get to it.

I actually put off visiting Palawan for a long time because planning the route seemed more complicated than it really is. I remember sitting down around Christmas trying to figure out where to fly, which direction to travel and how to connect everything. Once I finally went, I realized it’s surprisingly straightforward.

The easiest approach is to start in Puerto Princesa in the south or Coron in the north and work your way in one direction, with El Nido in between.

El Nido or Coron?

If I could only choose one, I’d choose El Nido for most travellers.

Both have the spectacular limestone scenery Palawan is famous for, but El Nido gives you more beyond island hopping. There are great beaches, hiking, scuba diving, restaurants and nightlife, so it’s somewhere I’d happily spend several days. I’ve put together a complete El Nido travel guide if you’re considering making it one of the main stops on your trip. 

Coron becomes more interesting if you’re a diver. It’s famous for Japanese shipwrecks from World War II, and actually swimming through these wrecks was a completely different diving experience for me. Visibility wasn’t particularly good when I went and some of the wreck penetration isn’t something I’d recommend to a new diver, but it’s an experience I haven’t found elsewhere.

If you’re short on time and mainly coming for the island hopping, I’d choose either El Nido or Coron rather than doing both. They’re similar enough that I’d rather spend the extra time seeing another part of the Philippines.

Best Things to Do in Palawan

Island hopping in El Nido is the big one. You’ll see Tours A, B, C and D advertised everywhere. I originally thought I’d do all four, but they’re long, active days and two were enough for me.

I did Tours A and C and enjoyed both, but Tour A was my favourite. You spend the day swimming, snorkelling, exploring lagoons and jumping between some of the most beautiful islands I’ve seen anywhere in the Philippines. If you’re trying to choose between them, I’ve written a separate comparison of El Nido Tour A and Tour C rather than getting into all the differences here. 

The other experience I’d make room for is the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Getting there takes some time, but the journey by boat into the huge cave system was unlike anything I’d done before. I wouldn’t spend many days in Puerto Princesa just for the city, but the surrounding attractions make a short stop worthwhile. I’ve gone into much more detail about whether Puerto Princesa is worth visiting if you’re deciding whether to include it. 

Who Should Visit Palawan?

I’d put Palawan near the top of the list for first time visitors, couples, photographers, divers and anyone who wants an active trip.

It’s less appealing if you hate long travel days or only have a week in the Philippines and want to see several different parts of the country. Distances aren’t enormous, but getting between the main destinations takes longer than you might expect.

How to Fit Palawan Into Your Philippines Trip

One thing I’d do differently next time is the trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. I took a shared van, which took around six hours and was pretty cramped and uncomfortable. Friends took the Cherry Bus shortly after me and said it was much more comfortable for around the same price.

I’ve broken down the different ways to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, but knowing what I know now, I’d take the bus. You can also check current bus schedules and prices here before you go.

From El Nido, you can continue north to Coron by ferry or turn the journey into part of the trip with a multi day island hopping expedition. If you’re taking the ferry and you’re prone to seasickness, bring medication because the water can get pretty rough.

Around 10 days is plenty of time for Palawan. I’d spend about two days around Puerto Princesa, three or four days in El Nido and another three or four days in Coron. That gives you enough time for the main sights and island hopping without feeling like you’re constantly packing up and moving.

2. Bohol: Best for First Time Visitors and Variety

Why Bohol Is Worth Visiting

I’ve been to Bohol twice, first in 2007 while I was living in the Philippines and again around New Year’s 2025. It was almost like visiting two different destinations.

Back in 2007, Bohol felt quiet and relatively undiscovered. Today, Panglao and particularly Alona Beach are major tourist destinations with resorts, restaurants, nightlife and plenty of package tourism.

It’s changed enormously, but I still rate Bohol highly. There aren’t many places in the Philippines where you can combine excellent diving and snorkelling, beaches, wildlife and some of the country’s most recognizable sights this easily.

Best Things to Do in Bohol

I spent two days scuba diving on my most recent trip, including Balicasag Island and Doljo Point. Both were excellent, but Balicasag was the highlight, with healthy reefs, plenty of turtles and lots of marine life.

I filmed both dives if you want to see what the diving at Balicasag and Doljo Point actually looks like. It’s easily one of the best reasons to visit Bohol if you like diving or snorkelling.

Bohol is probably best known for the Chocolate Hills, and you can combine them with several of the island’s other famous sights on the Bohol Countryside Tour. Most tours include the tarsiers, Loboc River, Bilar Man Made Forest and a few other stops, all in one day.

I’ve done this route twice, first on my own in 2007 and more recently as part of an organized tour. It’s definitely more touristy now and parts of the day can feel like a tourist trap, but I still think it’s worth doing on a first visit. It’s affordable, takes just one day and is an easy way to see several of Bohol’s classic sights.

I go into the good and bad in my guide to whether the Bohol Countryside Tour is worth it. If you’ve already decided you want to do it, you can also compare the current tour options and prices below.

Where to Stay in Bohol

Most first time visitors will probably find Panglao, particularly around Alona Beach, the most convenient place to stay for restaurants, nightlife, diving and island hopping. If you’d prefer somewhere quieter, I compare the alternatives in my guide to where to stay in Bohol.

Who Should Visit Bohol?

Bohol is great for first time visitors, particularly if you aren’t sure exactly what you want from the Philippines yet. I’d also recommend it for couples, families, divers and snorkellers.

If you’re looking for a quieter, less touristy island experience, Panglao probably isn’t the best choice anymore. 

How to Fit Bohol Into Your Philippines Trip

One of Bohol’s biggest advantages is its location. Ferries connect it with Cebu, Siquijor and Dumaguete, making it easy to include in a larger Visayas trip. I’ve covered the main routes and options in my guide to getting to Bohol.

On my latest trip, I started in Bohol before continuing to Dumaguete and Dauin for Apo Island, then Moalboal and Cebu City. It worked extremely well.

For international travellers, I’d also check for flights directly into Panglao through Asian hubs such as South Korea. If the flights work, you can skip Manila or Cebu City altogether and avoid the traffic, noise and hassle of making an unnecessary stop before starting your trip.

I’d give Bohol 3-5 days. On a 10 to 14 day Philippines trip, I’d combine it with Cebu, Siquijor or Negros.

3. Cebu: Best for Adventure

Cebu is one of my favourite islands in the Philippines, especially if you want an active trip. There’s diving and snorkelling, beaches, mountains, hiking, waterfalls, whale sharks and some pretty spectacular scenery, with Moalboal being my favourite place to base yourself.

Most travellers will arrive at Cebu City, but you don’t necessarily have to. You can also work your way north from Bohol or Dumaguete, which is what I did on my most recent trip. If you do arrive in Cebu City, I wouldn’t linger too long. There’s enough to see for a day or two, but I’d rather spend the extra time exploring the rest of the island.

Best Things to Do in Cebu

Moalboal is where I’d base myself in southern Cebu. It’s a fun little town in its own right, but it’s also a good starting point for many of the experiences that make Cebu worth visiting.

The Moalboal Sardine Run is the most obvious one. Millions of sardines gather incredibly close to shore at Panagsama Beach. You can basically walk off the beach, swim for a few minutes and suddenly find yourself surrounded by them.

You can experience the sardine run by snorkelling, freediving or scuba diving. I chose to dive it and still think that’s the best way to experience it if you’re certified. It’s mesmerizing watching millions of sardines move together, then suddenly change direction almost as one. 

It is a very shallow dive though. My tank lasted more than an hour and, as impressive as the sardines were, I eventually got a little bored down there. I’d still dive it again over snorkelling, but you definitely don’t need to be a diver to enjoy it. I’ve compared both options in my guide to snorkelling vs diving the Moalboal Sardine Run.

There’s more diving around Pescador Island, which is known for its distinctive skull shaped rock formation. On the same Philippines trip I went diving at Balicasag Island in Bohol, Apo Island off Negros and Pescador, and Pescador was my least favourite of the three. That’s not to say it was bad because I still enjoyed the diving, but if diving is your main reason for choosing an island, I’d personally put Balicasag and Apo ahead of it.

For me, though, the best experience around Moalboal was Kawasan Falls canyoneering. It’s one of the best adventure day trips I’ve done anywhere in the world.

The day starts with an optional zipline into the canyon before making your way down to the river. From there, you’re swimming through turquoise water, working your way through narrow channels and jumping from a series of cliffs and waterfalls. It’s physical and adventurous, but the scenery is spectacular and the bigger jumps are optional.

If Kawasan Falls is on your list, I’d read my canyoneering guide before you book anything. I cover what the day is actually like, what to bring and a few things I wish I’d known beforehand. When you’re ready, you can book a tour below.

There are plenty of other options if you have more time. You can ride a motorbike into the Badian highlands, spend time at the beaches, do more diving or take a day trip south toward Oslob for whale shark watching. Moalboal itself is also a fun place in the evenings, with plenty of restaurants and nightlife around Panagsama. I’ve covered the area in much more detail in my Moalboal travel guide.

Who Should Visit Cebu?

I’d choose Cebu if you want adventure and activities to be a big part of your Philippines trip. It’s particularly good for divers, snorkellers and anyone who would rather spend their days exploring than sitting at the same beach or resort.

Divers should also know about Malapascua at the northern end of Cebu. It’s one of the best places in the Philippines to see thresher sharks, with healthy diving and a tiny island atmosphere that still has a bit of that lost tropical island feel.

How Long Should You Spend in Cebu?

I’d spend three to five days in Moalboal. That’s enough time for the Sardine Run, Kawasan Falls and another day or two for diving or exploring the highlands. It’s also just a fun place to hang out, with good food, nightlife and plenty of places to relax by the pool when you don’t feel like doing much.

From Moalboal, it’s about three to four hours to Cebu City. You can see most of the main sights in a day or two, although as the main hub of the Visayas, you may end up staying longer for connections, shopping or simply a break between destinations. I’ve covered whether Cebu City is worth visiting if you’re deciding how much time to spend there.

If you’re continuing north to Malapascua, allow another five to seven hours from Cebu City once you factor in the bus and ferry. I’d spend about three days there, especially if you’re going for the diving.

4. Mindoro: Best for Scuba Diving/Nightlife/Resorts

Mindoro is one of the places in the Philippines I keep going back to. I’ve been around six times now, mostly to Sabang with some of the best scuba diving I’ve done in the country.

It’s also surprisingly easy to reach from Manila. In a few hours you can go from the traffic, congestion, and chaos of the capital to a laid back tropical destination with beaches, diving and nightlife, without having to get on another flight.

Where Should You Go in Mindoro?

Mindoro is a large, wild and relatively undeveloped island, but Puerto Galera in the north is where you’ll find most of the tourist action. Puerto Galera refers to the wider resort area as well as the town itself, with most visitors staying around White Beach or Sabang.

White Beach is the better choice for a traditional beach holiday, with a long, wide stretch of white sand surrounded by hotels, restaurants and shops.

Sabang is my choice for scuba diving. It’s a compact resort town where the dive shops, hotels, restaurants and bars are all within walking distance. It’s laid back during the day and comes alive at night once everyone is back from diving.

Scuba Diving in Puerto Galera

The diving is the main reason I keep coming back to Puerto Galera.

What I really like about diving in Sabang is how convenient it is. At many dive destinations, you’re gone for most of the day doing two dives. In Sabang, many of the dive sites are just minutes from shore, so you can do a dive, come back to the resort, relax for a while and head out again.

I’ve done four dives in a day this way without feeling burnt out. It makes Sabang a great place for a dedicated dive trip, and I’d also recommend it if you’re learning to dive or getting certified.

Verde Island is another well known dive trip from Puerto Galera that I’ve wanted to do, but haven’t managed to yet. Trips don’t run every day and can depend on schedules and having enough divers, which hasn’t lined up on my visits. From everything I’ve heard, though, it’s supposed to have some of the best diving in the area.

You can dive Puerto Galera year round, although I’d generally aim for November through June for the better conditions.

What Is Sabang Like?

Sabang is laid back during the day, then comes alive at night when everyone gets back from diving and heads to the restaurants and bars. It’s a fun place to stay, especially if you like having some nightlife after a day of diving.

My favourite place to stay is Big Apple Dive Resort, which is basically a dive resort, English pub and sports bar rolled into one. You can stay, eat, have a drink and organize your diving all in the same place. 

If you want something quieter or more upscale, I’ve also compared the different options in my guide to where to stay in Sabang.

Sabang can get a little seedy after hours, including some visible prostitution, but overall it’s still a very fun place to be. Just know that the nightlife is livelier and a little rougher around the edges than you’d find in a typical beach resort town.

Who Should Visit Mindoro?

I’d recommend Puerto Galera most strongly to scuba divers, especially anyone looking for a dedicated diving trip that’s easy to reach from Manila. It’s also a good choice if you enjoy having bars and restaurants around after a day in the water rather than staying at an isolated dive resort.

White Beach makes more sense if diving isn’t your priority and you mainly want a beach holiday.

How Long Should You Spend in Mindoro?

Puerto Galera works equally well for a weekend escape or a dedicated diving trip. When I lived in Manila, I’d regularly go for weekends and long weekends, but I’ve also flown in from Canada and spent a full week there diving.

From Manila, it’s roughly two to three hours to Batangas, followed by about an hour on the ferry and a short transfer once you arrive. I’ve made the journey five or six times using different routes, and I’ve broken down the easiest options in my guide to getting from Manila to Puerto Galera.

5. Boracay: Best for a Beach Holiday

To this day, Boracay is still the nicest beach destination I’ve ever visited. White Beach is incredibly long and wide, with beautiful sand, clear water and pretty much everything you’d want from a tropical beach holiday.

It’s a great choice for couples, honeymooners and families, or anyone who wants to spend a few days swimming, relaxing, eating out and enjoying the water. There are plenty of resorts, restaurants and water sports, so it’s also one of the easier places in the Philippines to simply show up and have a vacation.

Personally, I started getting bored after about two days. I’m much more into diving, hiking and exploring, so there’s only so much time I can spend lying on a beach. That’s not really a knock against Boracay though. If you’re looking for a classic beach holiday, I’d have a hard time recommending anywhere I’ve been over it.

Getting to Boracay

Boracay is a little out of the way compared with places like Cebu and Bohol. I once made my way there through Bohol, Cebu, Negros and Panay using buses and ferries, which was quite the journey, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that unless the journey itself is part of the adventure.

For most people, flying into Caticlan is by far the easier option.

How Long Should You Spend in Boracay?

I’d say three to five days is plenty for most people. I’d personally stay closer to three, but if your main goal is a relaxing beach holiday, you could easily stay longer.

6. Luzon: Best for Mountains and Culture

Luzon is the cultural heart of the Philippines and by far the country’s most populated island. It’s not my personal favourite region of the Philippines as a tourist, but there’s still an incredible amount to see, from the chaos and history of Manila to volcanoes, mountains and the rice terraces of Banaue.

It’s also a very different experience from the beach and resort islands farther south, which is a big reason I think it’s worth including on this list.

Best Things to Do in Luzon

The Banaue Rice Terraces are probably the highlight for me. Getting there wasn’t much fun though. My bus from Manila took around 15 hours, it was pouring rain hard enough that water was coming through the roof, and the air conditioning was absolutely freezing. One lesson I’ve learned travelling around the Philippines is to bring something warm on long bus rides, no matter how hot it is outside.

The journey was worth it though. The rice terraces and mountain scenery around Banaue are spectacular and unlike anything you’ll see on the beach islands farther south.

Closer to Manila, Tagaytay and Taal make for a much easier trip. I’ve been twice, once for lunch at a lookout during my student exchange and another time when I went out to the volcano itself. The setting is pretty unusual it being an island within lake on an island, and the views alone make the area worth visiting.

If diving is your priority, Anilao is one of the better known diving areas on Luzon and relatively accessible from Manila, while Baler on the east coast is better known for surfing.

Legazpi is also worth visiting for Mayon Volcano, which is one of the most impressive volcanoes I’ve seen in the Philippines.

Nearby Donsol is famous for seasonal whale shark encounters, but make sure you check the season before going. I learned that the hard way after making the long bus trip down only to discover the whale sharks weren’t around.

How Long Should You Spend in Luzon?

Luzon is huge, so how much time you need really depends on where you want to go. Manila and Tagaytay can easily fit into a few days, while somewhere like Banaue requires more time just because of the distance and travel involved.

For a first trip, I’d choose one or two places beyond Manila rather than trying to cover too much. If you want a complete change from the beaches and tropical islands elsewhere in the Philippines, Banaue would be one of my top choices.

Islands and Destinations Still on My List

The Philippines is a huge country, and while I’ve travelled through a lot of it over the years, I haven’t been everywhere. There are also some very popular destinations still on my list that you may want to consider for your own trip:

• Siargao: One of the country’s most popular islands for surfing, beaches and island hopping.
• Siquijor: Known for its beaches, waterfalls, diving and more laid back atmosphere.
• Camiguin: A volcanic island known for hiking, waterfalls, hot springs and diving.
• La Union: A popular surfing destination on Luzon with a growing beach and food scene.

Final Thoughts

The Philippines is one of those countries where you could keep coming back and have a completely different trip every time. I’ve been travelling here for years and there are still plenty of places I want to see.

If you’re planning your first trip and aren’t sure where to start, my Philippines Travel Guide covers the basics of planning a trip and what to know before you go.

For more ideas, you can browse my Philippines hub page, where I keep all of my guides, itineraries and articles in one place.